Woman saved after police pair jump into ‘freezing’ Limehouse canal

Pc Anna Moon and Pc Lee Plant (Image: Archant)

Pc Anna Moon, 30, and Pc Lee Plant, 26, from Tower Hamlets Police were called at 8.55am to reports of a woman threatening to jump from a ledge into the Limehouse Cut Canal.

They tried to convince her to step away from a ledge next to the canal but she jumped into the water and immediately began to struggle.

After failed attempts to throw her a rope Pc Moon removed her shoes and jumped into the freezing water.

“I am in little doubt that without the swift actions of the officers, this lady would certainly have gone under while fitting, and couuld have drowned,” said ambulance team leader Dave Lambeth-Williams.

Supt Helen Lewis from Tower Hamlets Police added the pair had “no doubt” saved the woman’s life.

“It appeared after five minutes in the water she was having a seizure,” said Pc Moon.

“I jumped in and was able to reach her.”

Seeing his colleague was unable to drag the woman out of the water alone, Pc Plant followed suit and dived in to assist.

But ultimately a marine policing unit (MPU) officer and a team of firefighters were needed to pull the trio out of the water.

The woman was taken to an east London hospital as a precaution while police said Pc Moon and Pc Plant were taken back to base for a change of clothes and “copious amounts” of hot drinks before being taken to hospital for a check up.

Supt Lewis added: “Had they not taken the decision to enter the water the outcome could have been very different.

“Whilst it is not routine for officers to put themselves in this kind of position, I am proud of these two officers and happy that all has turned out well.”